How old is Luka Modrić for the 2026 World Cup
Luka Modrić will be 40 years old during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, played for Croatia as a midfielder.
Age matters in tournament football. The 2026 World Cup spans 39 days and the heat and travel of North America in June and July put extra demand on older players. At 40, Luka Modrić sits in the senior bracket — likely a final World Cup of the squad.
Comparable players at similar ages
Few outfield players sustain peak performance past 35. Recent examples include Cristiano Ronaldo (37 in 2022), Luka Modrić (37 in 2022) and Pepe (39 in 2022) — all of whom played meaningful World Cup minutes.
Role and minute management
National team coaches generally manage midfielder workload by rotating central midfield pairings. At 40, Luka Modrić is more likely to play 90 minutes in matches that matter and rest in dead rubbers.
Career timeline
Luka Modrić represents Croatia as a midfielder and currently plays for AC Milan. Captain in his final World Cup.